I am a woman who had a history of hormone receptor positive breast cancer passed to me from my father’s side. Nobody on my mother’s side of the family had ever been diagnosed. When my peri-menopausal symptoms became unbearable, my physician put me on HRT which was a life changer. 8 months later I was diagnosed with bi-lateral estrogen based breast cancer and had a double lumpectomy followed by radiation and tamoxifen. All this while entering menopause. My symptoms were so severe as a result that when the Oncologist offered me letrozole, after I completed my two year course of tamoxifen, I turned her down.
I suffered for 10 years with no sleep, hot sweats, mood swings while working full time and raising a family. All the while, I exercised like crazy to keep myself sane. Having no sex drive and vaginal atrophy I was offered vaginal estrogen capsules that worked initially but didn’t go the distance. I have suffered in silence ever since as has my husband.
I sobbed after watching this conversation, while at the same time feeling guilty for my reaction as I should be thankful for being a 12 year cancer survivor - and I am.
I am aware that my oncologist only did what she was taught, much like was spoke of in this discussion. She couldn’t discuss what she didn’t know. She knew the course to put me on to resolve the cancer but not how to treat the symptoms of the treatment she was recommending. There was no information from the Canadian Cancer Society at the time to continue post care and explain changes that I should expect moving forward after treatment. In fact, I think that my oncologist was stunned when I thanked her for all she had done but turned down the letrozole. I told her it was about quality of life and not quantity. I told her that when she was going through menopause to think of me and how all the estrogen was zapped from my body in two years.
I still wish there was something that could be offered to me. As I have, in my humble opinion, gone through life not complaining but quietly feeling stuck. I can’t return the sex life that I lost in my 50’s but I am not dead yet and often wonder if it’s worth even thinking about finding a solution at this stage.
“For women who missed the opportunity for hormone therapy during their menopause transition, it's never too late to focus on building better health through lifestyle interventions and appropriate medical care.”
That’s it? Specifics re: medical care would have been super helpful. I was very disappointed that this issue wasn’t covered in more depth. I am 8 years post-menopausal and would like to know what else I can do beyond the “lifestyle interventions” I already practice (e.g., resistance and jump training, stress management, healthy diet, no smoking/ little alcohol etc ) as well as testing (bone density, etc)to manage my symptoms.
This was a tremendously helpful conversation! Love and am grateful for you both! 🩷🩷
I am a woman who had a history of hormone receptor positive breast cancer passed to me from my father’s side. Nobody on my mother’s side of the family had ever been diagnosed. When my peri-menopausal symptoms became unbearable, my physician put me on HRT which was a life changer. 8 months later I was diagnosed with bi-lateral estrogen based breast cancer and had a double lumpectomy followed by radiation and tamoxifen. All this while entering menopause. My symptoms were so severe as a result that when the Oncologist offered me letrozole, after I completed my two year course of tamoxifen, I turned her down.
I suffered for 10 years with no sleep, hot sweats, mood swings while working full time and raising a family. All the while, I exercised like crazy to keep myself sane. Having no sex drive and vaginal atrophy I was offered vaginal estrogen capsules that worked initially but didn’t go the distance. I have suffered in silence ever since as has my husband.
I sobbed after watching this conversation, while at the same time feeling guilty for my reaction as I should be thankful for being a 12 year cancer survivor - and I am.
I am aware that my oncologist only did what she was taught, much like was spoke of in this discussion. She couldn’t discuss what she didn’t know. She knew the course to put me on to resolve the cancer but not how to treat the symptoms of the treatment she was recommending. There was no information from the Canadian Cancer Society at the time to continue post care and explain changes that I should expect moving forward after treatment. In fact, I think that my oncologist was stunned when I thanked her for all she had done but turned down the letrozole. I told her it was about quality of life and not quantity. I told her that when she was going through menopause to think of me and how all the estrogen was zapped from my body in two years.
I still wish there was something that could be offered to me. As I have, in my humble opinion, gone through life not complaining but quietly feeling stuck. I can’t return the sex life that I lost in my 50’s but I am not dead yet and often wonder if it’s worth even thinking about finding a solution at this stage.
Thank you for sharing the information so clearly, Lucy. It’s so important. 💛
“For women who missed the opportunity for hormone therapy during their menopause transition, it's never too late to focus on building better health through lifestyle interventions and appropriate medical care.”
That’s it? Specifics re: medical care would have been super helpful. I was very disappointed that this issue wasn’t covered in more depth. I am 8 years post-menopausal and would like to know what else I can do beyond the “lifestyle interventions” I already practice (e.g., resistance and jump training, stress management, healthy diet, no smoking/ little alcohol etc ) as well as testing (bone density, etc)to manage my symptoms.